From Military Member to Student: An Examination of the Communicative Challenges of Veterans to Perform Communication Accommodation in the University

ABSTRACT

This study examined the transition of veterans from the military to the classroom. Guided by communication accommodation theory (CAT), results of semi-structured interviews (N = 20) of military veterans were analyzed to see how and why participants described communication approaches in the university setting. Approaches appeared guided by inculcated values developed during earlier cultural experiences, in the military. Participants described interpersonal and group communication exchanges in three broad themes: cultural clash, perspective taking, and self-silencing. This research supports prior psychological research that explored difficulties combat veterans face after exit and extends this research to non-combat veterans from a communicative perspective.

KEYWORDS:

• military veterans
• qualitative research
• communication accommodation
• intercultural research
• university students

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Ryan S. Bisel and Dr. Ioana A. Cionea, both from the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma, for their counsel during the conceptualization, execution, and publication of this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Departmental research credit can be used for either required research participation or extra credit depending on the policies of the instructor for whom the participant assigned the credit to.

2. Although Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is the commonly accepted term we believe that this term is stigmatizing and therefore we use PTS.

Additional information

Funding

The Graduate Student Senate of the University of Oklahoma awarded a research grant for the transcription and software costs associated with this project.

Notes on contributors

William T. Howe

William T. Howe is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma. His research focuses on organizational communication, specifically on high reliability organizations, as well as communication and technology. He received his M.S. from Texas Christian University in Communication Studies.

Maria Shpeer

Maria Shpeer is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses on intercultural and international communication. She received her M.A. from Saint Petersburg State University in International Relations: American Studies.